CM Yogi Adityanath: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that the state is emerging as the world’s largest consumer market for medicines, with over 1.10 lakh registered medical shops directly employing nearly five lakh people and many more indirectly connected to the sector. He emphasized that Uttar Pradesh is on track to become a major pharma hub, opening doors to affordable medicines and large-scale employment.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Chemists and Druggists Federation of Uttar Pradesh, the Chief Minister stressed that medicine trade is a sector of great responsibility and accountability. “Providing quality medicines and maintaining the trust of people is the biggest capital of this business,” he said.
Crackdown on Fake Medicines and Narcotics
CM Yogi reiterated the government’s strict stance against counterfeit drugs and narcotics. He said that narcotics-category medicines, which require special medical prescriptions, should not be sold as ordinary drugs. “Fake medicines not only endanger lives but also challenge honest traders. The state government has already launched major crackdowns in Agra and other regions to curb this illegal trade,” he noted.
He assured that the government will stand firmly with genuine traders and extend full protection if they take a pledge against spurious and narcotics-based drugs.
Pharma Parks and ‘One District One Medical College’
Highlighting the government’s future roadmap, CM Yogi said Uttar Pradesh is moving towards becoming a pharmaceutical hub. Former Drug Controller General of India Dr. G.N. Singh has been appointed as a pharma advisor to guide this mission. A large pharma park is being developed in Lalitpur, which will not only ensure in-state drug production but also boost exports, reduce medicine costs, and create new jobs.
Drawing a comparison with the state’s past, CM Yogi remarked, “Earlier, Uttar Pradesh was known for ‘One District One Mafia’. Now, we are building ‘One District One Medical College’.” He highlighted that 41 new medical colleges and 2 AIIMS have been established in the state in the past eight years, making UP capable of serving not just its 25 crore population but also neighboring states.
GST Reforms for Relief
The Chief Minister also mentioned the recent GST reforms introduced under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, which have reduced tax rates on essential medicines and made life-saving insurance policies nearly tax-free. “These reforms will benefit both consumers and traders, ensuring affordable healthcare and strengthening the market,” he said.
Federation’s Commitment to Nasha-Mukti Campaign
Sandeep Chaturvedi, President of the Chemists and Druggists Federation of UP, thanked CM Yogi for supporting the medical trade community and assured that the federation stands firmly with the government in the fight against narcotics and spurious drugs.
The event also saw the presence of Minister of State for Food Safety, Drug Administration and AYUSH Dayashankar Mishra Dayalu, Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, Mayor Dr. Manglesh Srivastava, BJP State Vice-President Dr. Dharmendra Singh, Pharma Advisor Dr. G.N. Singh, and representatives from across the state.
